Redefining Demand Response for Winter Peaks

The focus on electrifying transportation and buildings has sharpened in 2022. However, as buildings, homes, and cars go electric, it can create challenges for utilities, especially those in colder regions where electric heat pumps and hot water heat pumps will increase winter electricity loads. The utilities that may see a shift from summer to winter peaking loads can’t simply employ the same tactics from summer demand response programs due to differences in energy use patterns and the types of equipment that drive seasonal demand.

This paper highlights Snohomish County Public Utility District’s winter demand response and time-dynamic rates pilot, called FlexEnergy, in partnership with distributed energy platform provider Virtual Peaker. It serves as a case study on the challenges of implementing winter-peaking programs and offers encouraging lessons for other utilities.